i currently have my 2012 wrx hatch at it's stock tune. do you guys think it's better to spend the money to get the cobb app and have it tuned that way or just to get a protune? the only thing i have on my car right now is the spt cbe (stage 1?).

You currently are not stage1. Stage 1 is stock car with a tune (sometimes people also get an intake). I would get the AP and flash stage 1. That way you can easily switch between the stock tune and stage 1, as well as econo tunes, valet mode, etc...